New Jacksonville Zoo tigers to have trail, 'choice and freedom'

The Land of the Tiger is the second phase of the zoo's Asia Precinct expansion, which began in 2009. The new exhibit's theme is inspired by the zoo's popular Range of the Jaguar exhibit, which opened in 2004.

The 2.5-acres of dirt in the background -- beyond the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens's facility and greenhouse

Tigers are returning to the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens for the first time since 1995.

Six tigers, including up to two rare and endangered Sumatran tigers, will be part of the $9.5 million Land of the Tiger exhibit. A groundbreaking will be held Wednesday for the exhibit, scheduled to open in March 2014, as the zoo celebrates its 100th anniversary.

Land of the Tiger is the second phase of the zoo’s Asia Precinct expansion, which began in 2009 with the Asian Bamboo Gardens and Komodo Dragon Exhibit. The Sumatran tigers, likely a pair for breeding, will be joined by about four rescue tigers that will not be bred, zoo executive director Tony Vecchio said.

The tigers will be joined by other Asian animals such as the critically endangered Viscayna warty pig and babirusa pig, Asian small-clawed otters and wrinkled and wreathed hornbills.

Seven new structures will be built for animal housing, guest viewing and event space and guests will be immersed in the “Asian experience” through landscaping, sights and sounds.

But Vecchio is most excited about the innovative design for the tiger habitat.

“The animals have choice and freedom that they have never had in a zoo before,” he said.

A fortified trail system called the “tiger trail” will wrap around and through Land of the Tiger. Guests will be able to view the tigers on the trail — part of which will be elevated over public areas — and in their enclosures, as well as “nose to nose” in underwater parts of their enclosures.

“Our new approach ... was inspired by the behavior of wild tigers,” Vecchio said. “The zoo plans to build an exhibit that will recognize and channel natural walking behavior of these animals.”

The immersion theme was inspired by the zoo’s popular Range of the Jaguar attraction, which opened in 2004 and was named Exhibit of the Year by Association of Zoos and Aquariums in 2005.

“Visitors feel like they are in the exhibit,” he said.

Zoo officials have been quietly raising money for Land of the Tiger, so far from private donors. The tally to date is $7.5 million, including $3 million from Wayne and Delores Weaver.

“We are very grateful for Wayne and Delores Weaver’s lead gift which allows us to move forward with the project in order to be complete for our 100-year anniversary,” said Diane David, the zoo’s director of development.

Vecchio said zoo officials also have been working with the City Council about funding. The zoo is owned by the city but run as a nonprofit by a board of directors.

In addition to the $2 million still needed for Land of the Tiger, zoo officials also hope to raise an additional $2 million. Of that money, $1.5 million would build a mammal rescue facility — the zoo has a rescue team but animals have to be taken to Orlando or Tampa — and expand educational programming.

For a relatively small metro area Jax Zoo is a gem, like Cummer. Seems like the locals are oblivious. Buy a membership! That Jag exhibit and the African walk compare easily to Brookwood, St. Louis, San Antonio, everything short of San Diego. Glad the Weavers and others see the potential.